• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Doc says no to strips for my new Contour USB : (

S

samroboli

Member
Messages
18
Hi

I received one of the Bayer Contour USB blood glucose testing machines, well last week or the week before actually and I have only just had time to look at it and try it. Well I absolutely love it, and it is very easy to use, but when I called my doctors surgery today the 'on call' doctor, the one that calls back to discuss anything they can to avoid you having to have an appointment, well he said that they can not give me the strips for that machine, and do not do so unless there is an important reason for changing machines, he asked where I got it from and why I wanted to use it instead.

I advised him of all the extra things it does and how it will benefit me and encourage me to see my consultant, as I usually put off or cancel my consultant appointment because I don't write my blood testing results down in the silly little book that has no room (I was the same when i was pregnant - I hated doing it, it felt like doing homework having to copy all my results down and squeeze them in - they preferred the book so they could see the pattern!! and there was no room to record carbs or insulin or anything. Anyway he still said no that he will not give me the strips for this machine, but if I wanted to I could write in and the board would look at the reason or something like that. I am very dissapointed, I really like the machine and only have about 20 strips left : (

has anyone else had this problem?
 
Sorry to hear this.

Maybe you could find out if they themselves have a machine which they will prescribe and therefore give you a prescription for the strips and lancets?

I was actually offered a machine. I said I already had one (Glucomen LX+) and my DN was happy to prescribe me strips and lancets.

I know I am one of the lucky ones....

You can buy a Codefree machine from E Bay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220903935762? ... 1438.l2649

The strips and lancets are pretty cheap on this machine and I have Googled it for accuracy and it passes ok.

Let us know how you are doing.

I hate hearing that GPs won't prescribe strips and lancets but it is a postcode lottery I'm afraid....
 
Type 1's are on free prescriptions. Guess you've got the contour next. I have 1 of those too you need to complain to the surgery manager or to what has replaced pct.
I have no problem getting them. I get 4 boxes at a time. If you want I can send you a couple to keep you going while you sort the prats out.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Hi sorry for the late reply, thank you for your kind offer to send me some strips but I am going to write my letter to the doctors this week (I just haven't had the time) and I am also going to speak to the diabetic nurse at the hospital to see if she can do me a supporting letter as surely she will understand why the new machine will help me. I will also see if they do have a machine that is similar that they will give me the strips for, I hadn't thought of that, thank you, I will need an appt with the diabetes nurse at the gp's for that I think but it will be worth it.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Can't believe you've had this much grief. Just tell them you pay their wages through taxation.

If I was you I'd write to your mp & kick up a real stink. I never have had any problems ever getting strips I've never paid for a meter either.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Back
Top